Selling using the Internet

[Oaktree45]

I'm curious, has anyone sold one of their handguns on the Internet and was your experience good or bad? Did you sell it through an online forum or an online auction house? Did it take long to find a buyer?

I know I can only ship to a FFL dealer. Also I know I can't ship via USPS and I if I were to use UPS I would have to use next day air (pricey).

Any other thoughts you might have on selling a handgun on the Internet? I ask because I'm considering downsizing my collection.

 

[Cemetery21]

I've sold a few and bought a few more. So far, everything went very well. Give a good accurate description and provide good photos and a fair price.
Best to have a good relationship with your FFL. Then, you package it up and he sends it out with his regular stuff at his rates.

 

[George P]

I have sold several I had listed on local internet sites similar to ArmsList. I also helped a friend sell a bunch he inherited from his neighbor the same way. face to face, met anywhere from my garage to a McDonald's parking lot, cash for guns. Made the buyer show me a D/L and asked if he was a prohibited person.

If you have something valuable, you'll get more money on a place like GunBroker, but then there is their fee, shipping, etc.
A lot will, of course, depend on your local laws and any constraints imposed by those laws.........

 

[Texas10mm]

I've sold numerous firearms through either Texas Gun Trader or Texas Gun Talk.

All deals are face to face, I don't want to go down the shipping black hole.

Some guns are sold within minutes, others take a week or so. I always ask to see a Texas DL and a LTC/CHL.

 

[Meeks36]

I use local forums or Armslist when selling. I will not buy sight unseen. Just can't bring myself to do it. To many horror stories.

 

[George Dickel]

I pretty much use gun broker for buying and selling. Used armslist a couple times to sell and everything was good. Everything I have bought has been as described and I've not had any problems with the things I've sold. Just check out the feedback on the buyer.

Added: Pictures, take good quality pictures that make it easy to determine the condition of the gun.

I have a kitchen table FFL locally that does the transfers for me. I use him exclusively.

 

[FFGColorado]

I'm curious, has anyone sold one of their handguns on the Internet and was your experience good or bad? Did you sell it through an online forum or an online auction house? Did it take long to find a buyer?

I know I can only ship to a FFL dealer. Also I know I can't ship via USPS and I if I were to use UPS I would have to use next day air (pricey).

Any other thoughts you might have on selling a handgun on the Internet? I ask because I'm considering downsizing my collection.

Got a decent LGS locally that takes guns on consignment or buy outright? Might try that first.

 

[mope540]

When selling any firearm online (usually via Gunbroker, or a specific S&W website) I'll make a note in the ad that shipping will be cheaper if the buyer's FFL will accept shipment from a non-FFL. I've seldom had an issue with the buyer not being able to find an FFL that will do that.
The local FFL that I've used in the past has raised his transaction fee from $20 to $50. Yikes. Screw that. I will no longer use him for online transactions.

 

[Waveski]

Only once have I shipped from an FFL when sending to a buyer ; that particular buyer insisted on it for some reason. Using an FFL for outbound shipping adds time and expense , two things I do not need.
When working out shipping details with the buyer make sure that there is a clear understanding of who is responsible for shipping cost , and whether to insure at additional cost.
That said , most of my sales have been FTF. I always state the following in the ad:
"I.D. will be required before item is shown , concealed carry permit strongly preferred. I reserve the right of refusal to sell." That weeds out most of the yahoos.
Be wary of scams. They are generally pretty obvious. If the buyer - from a remote location - sounds too good/eager to be true - probably is.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Used Armslist many times. Never a problem. Just like at the range or on THR almost always some of the nicest people you meet. Gun folks just have class